Have Gold Bikini, Will Travel: Kristen Bell Gets the Leia of the Land

George K Tue, Jan 15, 2008 at 12:23 PM EST

All else aside Ms. Bell's performance in VM is certainly worthy of high praise. From delivery to facial expression to body language she nailed it. Though it may be stated that her role in heroes may have been a bit light, her effective transition from "tough girl" to wanting daddy's approval was impressive.

Sandra Thu, Dec 13, 2007 at 11:49 AM EST

Most of us Veronica Mars fan fell in love with Kristen Bell the very first episode. She is amazing,talented, gorgeous, funny, intelligent,and ect. But if ya don't like her why comment here in the first place?

Mac Thu, Dec 13, 2007 at 09:33 AM EST

No one said you had to watch every episode of Veronica Mars to fall for Kristen Bell. I just re-watched the pilot recently, and you love her from scene 1.

You do however have to watch more than one episode of the show to fully realize its brilliance. The pilot is great, but the entire first season is one of the greatest seasons of television ever.

Ben Thu, Dec 13, 2007 at 08:53 AM EST

Figures that the Veronica Mars fans came on to defend her. If those of us who aren't wowed by her have to watch every stinking episode of that series just to fall for her like you guys did, what does that say for her? If she is so amazing, shouldn't we have been blown away by her other roles? I've watched her now on Heroes and that godawful movie "Pulse" as well as on some other shows on tv and she has done zilch to impress. Maybe it was just the writing on Veronica Mars rather than whatever talent Kristin Bell is supposed to possess that was so appealing. Bell is like Renee Zellweger...why do people like her enough to keep getting her roles. There are really TONS of better young actresses out there with more talent and far more appealing to look at. Sorry, Mars fans but you guys are biased because of your love for this show.

Roman Thu, Dec 13, 2007 at 03:17 AM EST

Ah Kristen Bell, how I do adore thee. I've never been a big Star Wars fan, but Fanboys looks great, so I can't wait to see it. And that picture? Just another reminder of how much it blows that VM got canceled. I can only imagine the inside jokes Rob Thomas and Co. would write in based on that image alone.

ceej Thu, Dec 13, 2007 at 02:06 AM EST

I'm gonna show my nerd stripes and point out that Princess Leia's "bikini" is has burgundy on the bra, not mustard yellow.

Nix Thu, Dec 13, 2007 at 01:27 AM EST

ooh, ooh, but considering she looks more mature in that pic, could she be Emma Frost in a new X-Men spinoff? while we're geeking out anyway?

Nix Thu, Dec 13, 2007 at 01:24 AM EST

I, too, never "got" why Veronica Mars was special. That said, I still don't get why Supernatural is special, which has pretty much exiled me from my fangirl group (and I'm the only boy.) I must confess I have an irrational prejudice against pretty young blond girls -- I like tall, statuesque, dark-haired Amazons myself -- but then, I'm gay, so it's not like I matter to her demographic. Or should I? What was so special about that show, that it still inspires such passion? Not hating per se, wanting to know. EW should do a story on it and other cult shows fans want back.

lpaz Thu, Dec 13, 2007 at 01:24 AM EST

There should be some clarification... Veronica Mars is not necessarily for TECHNO nerds, but is VERY much for pop culture nerds. I consider myself the later, and not at all the former (I can hardly work a computer). It's hard to imagine any other actress being able to pull that role off. It was definitely one of the best shows in recent memory and the fans will never forget her for it.

Plus, I agree with whoever said that she's very likable. She's cute, witty, and a hell of a lot of a friendlier person than most actresses or actors out there.

SDA333 Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 09:12 PM EST

You goofs who've watched just a few episodes of "Veronica Mars" and so don't get the Bell? Come back and comment when you've watched all or most of the episodes and the your opinion will then be worth reading!

will Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 06:15 PM EST

"Uncovered . . ."

I guess, but this movie has been finished for at least a year, and I know I've seen pictures of this several times already

Michael Satran Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 05:58 PM EST

Yeah, I almost had a heart attack when I saw Kristen in that picture. That would light a fire under Marvel Zombies.

Ep Sato Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 04:43 PM EST

I've always appreciated how sci fi has been aimed at boys who've not yet quite discovered girls. My first crush came when I was 5 and saw Barbarella on VHS. The second came when I took a really good look at Leia in that bikini. She was on one of my "Star Wars" folders for school. I was in the first grade and knew nothing about sex, except that it had something to do with that bikini.

Twelve years later, during a perchance viewing of "Friends", i found out my Leia in the Bikini fetish was part of a greater movement in popular culture. I still haven't convinced a single girlfriend (or wife, now) to wear that bikini, but keep bookmarked the websites that sell it should I ever get offered a reward for extremely good behavior.

As for veronica mars wearing it? Holy Han Solo! My heart needs to be frozen in carbonite to keep it from lubdubbing so darned fast. Gadzooks is that one sexy two piece!

Kevin Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 04:21 PM EST

She's a great comedic actress and she's smokin'. And if she is anywhere as fun and witty as Veronica Mars, then she is pretty much the exact type of woman I'd like to marry someday.

Nick Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 03:55 PM EST

Bell is and will be a HUGE star. She's amazing. The haters will eventually find out....someday.

step Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 03:50 PM EST

Cleanup on aisle BORING.

mark in nyc Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 03:34 PM EST

Never watched Veronica Mars, cause it never really appealed to me. Her work on Heroes is ad cause the writing is....if you ever saw her when she did a few episodes on DEADWOOD, then you know girl can act.

Cara Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 02:57 PM EST

You know, sometimes, the reason everyone likes a certain star is because they're, well...likable. Yeah, I know, newsflash, but I'm just a little confused at the outbreak of Kristen Bell-bashing. As anyone who's watched "Veronica Mars" knows, she's a talented actress with a rare gift for subtext and subtlety. It's not like she went out and tattooed "Nerd Fantasy" on her forehead--there have been a few comments about how she seems to be skewing toward that market with her recent choices. It's not like she thinks she's the second coming of Carrie Fisher. She never said that. Nobody ever said that. "Fanboys" is a tongue-in-cheek satire/comedy--why is it being taken so seriously?

Melissa Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 02:42 PM EST

Hate to break it to you Antoinette, but here comes your first heated, hateful response.

In what world is Veronica Mars a show for you and your sci-fi geek friends? It isn't a sci-fi show in the least. Star Wars is a sci-fi geek movie... hence why EW is saying geek heads will explode. You know, on account of a gorgeous girl (whether you're familiar with her or not) in the Leia bikini.

And if you only watched VM for a few episodes, you really have no grounds to judge it. As for her role on Heroes, that speaks more to the pathetic writing than any fault of hers. Heroes in its current state is unbelievably beneath Kristen Bell, and I hope she finds greater success soon... I can think of few actresses who deserve it more.

Dave Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 02:39 PM EST

Wow. Look at the monster jowls on this gal. She should be in my
"Chipmonk Movie" coming out Friday.

Simon... Theodore... A L V I N !
You guys have a new sister. Make room for her in the sock drawer.

Danielle Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 02:31 PM EST

I am going to offer the opinion that those of you who think Ms. Bell isn't much didn't see the right episodes of Veronica Mars. She is quite talented and I can't imagine that show without her. She must have something, as she has been cast in one of the upcoming Apatow comedies. I hope she has a bright future, she's talented enough for it.

Court Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 02:15 PM EST

Thank you Antoinette! So many magazines and such have jumped on the bandwagon that Bell is supposed to be such a nerd fantasy or whatever...how many true nerds do you know who actually watched Veronica Mars? As for Heroes, there are at least 2 other blondes on there who are better looking than she is. She's boring.

Court Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 02:15 PM EST

Thank you Antoinette! So many magazines and such have jumped on the bandwagon that Bell is supposed to be such a nerd fantasy or whatever...how many true nerds do you know who actually watched Veronica Mars? As for Heroes, there are at least 2 other blondes on there who are better looking than she is. She's boring.

Ben Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 01:12 PM EST

Saw the pics. May I say "blech"? I also agree with the first poster. I don't see the big deal about Kristen Bell at all. It must be a small group of Veronica Mars fans who keep railing about her like she is some sort of goddess or something.

sje Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 01:12 PM EST

Meh, Carrie Fisher was sexier.

Sarah Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 12:46 PM EST

I agree with the first poster. I don't get Kristen Bell. She always looks kinda dead in the face. Definitely needs a "smile with your eyes" lesson from Tyra Banks.

C Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 12:38 PM EST

This is very old news in the geek community...

Jenny P Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 12:25 PM EST

I don't think it was their heads that were exploding, but thanks for keeping it PG.

meg Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 12:16 PM EST

That is one of the worst Leia bikinis I have ever seen, and i have been to dragoncon multiple times!!! I love the Leia bikini from "Return of the Jedi", but Bell's looks like a very cheap knockoff...and the hair is awful! Bell is killing the fantasy for everyone....

Tony Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 11:21 AM EST

Wow. That's awesome. Where does she live again? I have to go ask her out.

D Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 11:10 AM EST

Never watched Veronica Mars, don't know much about Kristen Bell, but it's always nice to see a hot chick dressed up as Princess Leia. As much as people might mock "Friends" for being lame, the one thing they got right was how every guy of a certain age has, at one time or another, fantasized about Princess Leia in that bikini.

mark in nyc Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 11:09 AM EST

Hot, but not as hot as when Jennifer Aniston wore it on Friends

Sven Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 10:54 AM EST

God bless you Marc Bernardin! That's either a last minute Chanukah gift, or early Christmas present.

Antoinette Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 10:53 AM EST

I may get a lot of heated, hateful responses to this comment but here goes.

I do not get the obsession this magazine and/or its writers have with Kristen Bell. My friends and I are all self professed geeks and we all agree that Veronica Mars was not the best show ever made, nor has she proven herself to be the greatest or hottest actress ever like this mag would have us believe. As a matter of fact amongst my geek sci fi loving friends not a single one of us watched Veronica Mars for more than a few episodes. Her character on Heroes could be played by any blonde with minor talent. And the thought of seeing her in Leia's gold bikini? Who cares? No one can ever look as good as Leia did so why does everyone keep trying?